Strap device for use with a video game controller

ABSTRACT

A video game controller joystick strap device is provided which fits on the joystick, preferably by an expandable buttonhole. This device is provided with a fastener permitting the strap to fixed around a user&#39;s thumb or finger. Cushioning is also provided to relieve the stress on the user&#39;s thumb or finger, thereby avoiding blistering or other injury. In its preferred embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop device and a the cushioning is provided by either a layer of neoprene rubber or one or more portions of neoprene rubber mounted to a fabric layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to strap devices. More specifically, thisinvention relates to strap devices that are adapted to facilitate thecontrol of a joystick device as used in conjunction with a video gamesystem.

2. Description of Related Art

A variety of devices for controlling video games have been proposed.Some of these devices are wearable to enhance the user's control of thevideo game. However, these previous devices are not adapted specificallyto work with standard video game joysticks by providing a cushionedstrap which can receive the head of the joystick and which can be fixedto a user's thumb or finger, as this is this present invention ofapplicant.

For general background the reader is directed to the following U.S.patent documents, each of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety for the material contained therein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,494,755,4,518,164, 4,648,603, 4,909,514, 5,207,791, 5,225,831, 5,488,362,5,706,026, 5,737,505, 5,764,164, 5,796,354.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to provide a strap restraining device that can beattached to the joystick of a standard video game controller joystickand that, when in use, wrapped around a user's thumb or finger and fixedin place to facilitate the control of a video game joystick whileavoiding injuries, such as blisters, to the user's thumb, fingers orhand.

Therefore, it is the general object of this invention to provide a strapdevice for use with video game joysticks to facilitate the use of thejoystick.

A further object of this invention is to provide a strap device for usewith video game joysticks that has a hook and loop fastener providingthe means for fastening the device around a user's thumb or finger.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a strap devicefor use with video game joysticks that has an expandable joystickreceiving opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide a strap device for usewith video game joysticks that provides cushioning to reduce the risk ofuser injury.

It is another object of this invention to provide a strap device for usewith video game joysticks that is adaptable to work with most standardvideo game joysticks.

Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of thisinvention will be set forth in part in the description that follows andin part will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponexamination of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims,or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects andadvantages of this invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. Still other objects of the present invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdescription wherein there is shown and described the preferredembodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one ofthe modes best suited to carry out this invention. As it will berealized, this invention is capable of other different embodiments, andits several details, specific dimensions and materials, are capable ofmodification in various aspects without departing from the scope of thisinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

To achieve the foregoing and other objectives, and in accordance withthe purposes of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of thisinvention has a fabric strap with hook and loop fasteners, having anexpandable joystick receiving opening on top of which is a neoprenerubber cushion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the preferred embodiment of this invention in use, being wornby a user.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is the perspective view of the bottom of the preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention with the major components of the invention shown relative tothe proximate locations for assembly.

FIG. 5 is a detailed section view of the strap of this invention withthe joystick inserted in the joystick cavity of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment 100 of this invention being wornby a user 101 in its preferred use. This view shows the strap 100 on theleft hand thumb 102, alternatively, this invention works equally well onthe user's right hand. A typical video game controller 103 is shownhaving an integral joystick 104. The top portion of the joystick 104 isshown inserted in the strap 100, whereby the joystick 104 can be movedand controlled by the user through movement of the user's thumb 102. Inits present preferred embodiment, this invention 100 is 3 ½ inches longand ¾ inch wide, although alternative dimension are envisioned asequivalents within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top 200 of the preferredembodiment of the invention 100. A hook and loop portion 201 is providedon the first end 204 a of the strap portion 205 to act as a fasteningmeans. Other alternative fastening means, including but not limited tobuttons, snaps, clips and the like, can be substituted without departingfrom the concept of this invention. A first cushioning region 202 a isprovided on the second end 204 b of the strap portion 205. A secondcushioning region 202 b is provided generally in the center 204 c. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention the cushioning regions 202 a,202 b is composed of exposed rubber neoprene, although alternativematerials, having cushioning properties, can be substituted withoutdeparting from the concept of this invention. The second cushioningregion 202 b is preferably fixed by adhesive to the strap portion 205.Alternatively, the second cushioning region 202 b may be fixed to thestrap portion 205 by stitching, stapling or similar methods. The twocushioning regions 202 a,b are provided to cushion the user's thumb 102from mechanical pressure during use.

FIG. 3 shows the perspective view of the bottom 300 of the preferredembodiment of the invention 100. This view shows the second fasteninghook and loop portion 301 mounted on the strap portion 205, preferablyby stitching or adhesive. A first end 302 of the bottom 300 has exposedthe preferred material of the strap 205, which preferably is a fabricmaterial. Alternative materials including synthetics, metallic links,and other flexible materials can be substituted without departing fromthe concept of this invention. This view also shows the flexiblejoystick receiving opening 304, which in this case is formed similar toa buttonhole, although alternative openings can be substituted withoutdeparting from the concept of this invention. Reinforcement stitching303 is provided fixing the second cushioning portion 202 b to the strapportion 205, thereby providing a cavity for holding the joystick 104within the invention 100.

FIG. 4 shows a detail perspective view of the top 200 of preferredembodiment of the invention 100 with the major components of theinvention shown relative to the proximate locations for assembly. Thestrap portion 205 with the hook and loop portions 201, 301 shownproximately to the strap portion 205. The flexible joystick receivingopening 304 is shown below the center cushioning portion 202 b, which isshown with tapered edges 402 a,b as used in the preferred embodiment100. The preferred material 401 of the strap portion 205 is a fullyexposed neoprene rubber layer fixed, by stitching or its equivalent, toa fabric layer.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed section view of this invention 100 with thejoystick 104 inserted through the flexible joystick opening 304 into thejoystick cavity 502. The top 501 of the joystick 104 is shown within thecavity 502 formed by the second cushioning portion 202 b and the strapportion 205 with access to the cavity 502 provided by the flexiblejoystick opening 304.

The foregoing description is of a preferred embodiment of the inventionand has been presented for the purposes of illustration and descriptionof the best mode of the invention currently known to the inventor. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform, shape, dimensions, materials disclosed. Obvious modifications orvariations are possible and foreseeable in light of the above teachings.This embodiment of the invention was chosen and described to provide thebest illustration of the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art toutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of theinvention as determined by the appended claims when they are interpretedin accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally andequitably entitled.

I claim:
 1. A video game joystick strap, comprising: (A) a strapportion, adapted to fit about a user's thumb, having a top side, abottom side, a first end, a second end and a middle region; (B) a firstfastener portion fixed to said first end of said top side of said strapportion; (C) a second fastener portion fixed to said second end of saidbottom side of said strap portion; (D) a cushion portion fixed to saidmiddle region of said strap portion; and (E) a joystick receivingopening, for engaging a joystick device, in said bottom of said strapportion.
 2. A video game joystick strap, as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a joystick receiving cavity defined by said cushion portionand said middle region of said strap portion.
 3. A video game joystickstrap, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second cushion fixedto said second end of said top of said strap portion.
 4. A video gamejoystick strap, as recited in claim 1, wherein said strap portionfurther comprises a fabric layer and a cushioning layer.
 5. A video gamejoystick strap, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first fastenerportion and said second fastener portion is a fastener selected from thegroup consisting of a hook and loop fastener, a snap fastener, a buttonfastener, and a clip fastener.
 6. A video game joystick strap, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said cavity is adapted to receive a standardvideo game controller joystick.